Comparative History Seminar:

"Comparative Approaches to Medieval History: Europe and China"

Academic Year 2012/2013

King's College London, Strand Campus, 4-6pm

Room: to be specified

The aim of the seminar is to discuss current methodologies in comparative historical research with specific respect to European and Chinese history (800-1600). Sessions will be based on specified core readings and will comprise themes such as the meaning of empire, means and channels of political communication, current issues in trade history as well as conceptions of cross-continental divergence. For each session, an additional list of recommended background reading will be provided. Discussions will also focus on the application of social-scientific methods such as prosopography, network tools and institutional analysis. The seminar intends to reassess the advantages and pitfalls of comparative medievalist research while also providing participants with an opportunity to evaluate the potential benefits of comparative research tools for their own projects.